Independent Adventure Games part 1.

Being a big fan and something of a... connoisseur when it comes to independent adventure games, I figured I'd make a series of posts where I mention the ones that I've found to be the most interesting. For all of you reading this blog (both of you), be sure to check these ones out if you're looking for a good adventure game to play, you'll probably like them. Plus, most of them are totally free!

Enough with the introductions, on with the games! Firstly, the games that have been already released, in no order:

- The Ben Jordan series. Ben is a young paranormal detective, in a series that draws inspiration from TV shows such the X-Files, and the humor of the old-school point & click adventure classics. The graphics of these games are not the best ones around, but the gameplay is solid, and with five games out so far, there's enough here to keep you busy for a while. For more, check out Thaumaturge's reviews here.

- The Apprentice series. Two parts of a planned trilogy are available so far, and these are definitely among the finest independent games out there. Technically sublime (especially the animation), excellent gameplay with logical puzzles, and an interesting storyline. Seriously, if these games were released back in the early 90's, during the time when Adventure games ruled the sales charts, we would still be talking about them.

- The Shivah. A Rabbinical murder mystery, so it's cool by definition. Unlike the rest of the games here, it's not free. But it's only 5 bucks, and with a really good storyline and dialogs, it's really worth the (low, low) price. I've written a review of the Shivah, so read it if you want to know more about it (yes, self-promotion is kinda lame, sue me if you must.)

- Spooks. Join ghoul girl Mortia as she receives a post peculiar prize at the Carnage-Val... A goldfish that's actually alive. Now she needs to find a way to keep it alive, but that's easier than it sounds, when you're stuck in the Land of the Dead.

Okay, my description sucks ass. Just play this game, trust me. It has charming art and an equally charming storyline, genuinely funny jokes and an "innovative use of color", as the game's creator puts it, and she's right ya know. Download here.

- King's Quest 1, 2 and 3 remakes. 256-color remakes of the oldie goldies from the 80's, with a point & click system instead of the old parser. Part 2 includes new puzzles and story elements, and is generally better than the original in any respect.

- Reactor 9. The most recently released game in this list, with excellent low-res graphics and a more mature story than most independent adventure games.

Now moving on to up and coming games, that will be released... at some point. That's the problem with most independent games, since most of them are mainly a hobby for their creators. For that reason, some of the most promising ones are lost to due to a lack of interest/time from their creators' behalf.

- The Blackwell Legacy. I mentioned this in an earlier post, it's a game from the creator of the Shivah, and it's actually coming out in a few days. Rosangela Blackwell is a young woman who unwillingly becomes a medium, destined to help troubled spirits, while figuring out her family's background. This is going to be a series, released in episodic format, something I'm quite excited about. Again, this will not be a free game, but 15 bucks isn't much to ask. I mean, most of us spend twice that much on an average drinking night out, and then break our toes by kicking garbage cans. Okay, perhaps just me on that last one.

- Indiana Jones and the Fountain of Youth. Remember Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis? Arguably the best game ever. FoY is something of an unofficial sequel to that game, utilizing such elements from FoA as the same graphics style, a similar fighting system and, of course, Nazi scum. It's been in development forever, but there's a demo available to tide you over until the eventual full release.

- Ben Jordan: Case 6. Judging from the quality of the previous games, this one will be worth playing as well. There's even a trailer available now.

- Fester Mudd & the Curse of the Gold. I just found out about this recently, but it looks really good with low-res graphics worthy of the early 90's games. Not much is known about this game, beyond the fact that the eponymous hero of the game is a poor, lonesome farmer, who suddenly receives a letter from his long lost brother. Judging from what we've seen so far, I'm guessing there will be a lot of old-school fun to be had with this one.

- Diamonds in the Rough. The fact that the game's title is also the title of a song by Johnny Cash should be enough reason for me to play it, but great looking "2.5" graphics, and promises of a unique "thought" system (similar to a usual inventory) and an intriguing storyline make it sound even more promising.

That's all for now, all these games were created/are being created with the Adventure Game Studio, I didn't really do this on purpose, but it's the engine/community I'm most familiar with. In later similar posts I will mention games created with other engines as well.